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We've set up this space where members of the Little Tokyo community could share information, thoughts, ideas, and opinions about the Little Tokyo neighborhood, it's people, politics, culture/history, businesses, and events.

8/08/2009

MTA Regional Connector Meeting (8/5)

Last Wednesday 8/5 I attended an MTA meeting on the Regional Connector, it was held at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. The meeting began at 4:30, and there where many people from the beginning, there where also refreshments such as cookies and coffee.

As soon as you walked in you asked to sign in as well as given some papers, and then you could not help but notice the large model. People quickly gathered around the model, as MTA representatives as well as the Architect and community members struggled to figure out what it was and ask some questions. When I looked at the model, I couldn't orient myself what area this model represented, it was only half way through the presentation that I figured out how to read the model.

The meeting then began and people took their seats, MTA project manager for the regional connector opened with a few words and the MTA director also spoke a few words. The MTA Technical Consultant then began his presentation, it was a long presentation which included an overview of the 4 options, why they would benefit Little Tokyo, as well as computer renderings, a video flyby, construction information such as timeline, as well as where are they along with the project.

After the presentation the floor was opened up to for the community to raise their voice for questions, comments and concerns. This part of the meeting got very intense, many community members raised tough questions and serious concerns, about the impact of a regional connector on Little Tokyo. Metro staff took notes and recorded the feedback from the community.

The meeting ran until 7:30 an hour longer than initially planned, MTA representatives stayed around for a bit to answer more questions. The Project manager also said she is available to meet with any individual who would like to do so. The Regional connector is currently in the stage where they evaluate the options get feedback from the community and then they will make their decision around summer of next year. For the next year, they plan on having more community meetings and this was the first of those.